J1 Statement of Need Problem

E

ezterra

New Member
Dear All,

Being a Russian citizen, for the last 2 years I have been living and working in South Afirca on work permit. Formally, I am not a permanent resident yet. Now I have to get a statement of need and am not sure where it should be obtained. In Russia? But I have not been there long ago and have no intention to return. In South Africa? What constitutes "country of most recent legal permanent residence" (as it stated on ECFMG site)? Will the proof that I have been a resident ("permanent" in fact) of South Africa for the last years and have no plans to abandon this country be enough to satisfy the US Consulate (even if technically I am on temporary residence permit)?

Thank you.
Alex
 
Probably Russia

It will be probably Russia. You can check with EGFMG.
I was in a similar situation >10 yrs ago and they wanted documentation of me being able to go back to the country sponsoring J1
 
Depends on where you want to return to if you can't get a J1 waiver. Sounds like you have no intention to return to russia, so it would certainly be beneficial to get the SON from the SA goverment. As to the 'able to return' part, I have no idea how SA immigration law works, but if you can show in any way that you hare eligible to return (e.g. based on your qualification as a physician), you might be able to satisfy ECFMG.
(I knew a ukrainian guy who had emigrated to israel as a teenager. as israel didn't give statements of need for residency, he got it from ukraine. it turned out to be a huge hassle later on because some state health departments require a no-objection letter before they sponsor J1 waivers)

Best option would of course be an H1b.
 
Statement of need for J1

Hi all!

I have personally been through this situation, as my new country of residence was Canada, where I was living for two years before joining my residency in US, in 2002. I had the status of Canadian Permanent resident then (what you can call "Canadian Green Card").

According to ECFMG rules, it is mandatory that you should submitt your Statement of need from your last country of residence (which in your case will be S.Africa). I have confirmed it with officials at ECFMG in philadelphia, in person, on more than couple of occassions.

This rule is also clearly stated on the website of US immigration (or website of US Department of Justice). You have to go to the J-1 visa section to find it. But you have to be sure that you have a legal residence permit from South AFRICA.

Good Luck
 
Hi,
I am also a Canadian PR in canada since 2 yrs.
I was thinking if i can go back to india to get statement of need letter as its little difficult to get it form canada.
Also ECFMG mentions to get the letter from country of last legal permanent residence so if i want it from india how long should i stay in india to show them india as my last legal residence and not canada.
kindly reply if someone knows.
Thanks.
 
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